Dumbbell Thrusters vs Machine Shoulder Press Strength Standards
Compare your dumbbell thrusters and machine shoulder press against strength standards for your sex and bodyweight. Enter one recent set of 1–12 reps for each lift to see your estimated one-rep maxes, strength levels, next targets, and which lift you should prioritize.
Use each exercise's canonical input: External load for Dumbbell Thrusters and Total selected or loaded machine resistance for Machine Shoulder Press. Use a strict, repeatable dumbbell thrusters test using the canonical setup, range, and finish rules and a bilateral seated machine shoulder press from the same controlled bottom range to the machine-intended overhead finish with stable hips, back, and torso. You can enter either lift in pounds or kilograms. Each lift is compared with its own standards, so the heavier lift is not automatically the stronger one.
Dumbbell Thrusters vs Machine Shoulder Press Strength Standards by Bodyweight
Use these tables to compare the estimated one-rep max required for the dumbbell thrusters and machine shoulder press to reach the same strength level at each listed bodyweight. They show the targets used by the calculator—not a required difference between your dumbbell thrusters and machine shoulder press.
Choose the men’s or women’s table, find your bodyweight or the closest listed row, then read across to Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, or Elite. Every entry shows Dumbbell Thrusters / Machine Shoulder Press, with pounds first and kilograms underneath. For a result based on your exact bodyweight and recent sets, use the calculator above; you do not need to test either true one-rep max.
Men’s Dumbbell Thrusters vs Machine Shoulder Press Standards
How to read the table: The first number is Dumbbell Thrusters; the second is Machine Shoulder Press. Each number is the lowest estimated one-rep max needed to reach that strength level. Scroll horizontally on smaller screens.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | 77 / 59 lb 34.9 / 26.8 kg | 112 / 81 lb 50.8 / 36.7 kg | 154 / 106 lb 69.9 / 48.1 kg | 196 / 137 lb 88.9 / 62.1 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | 82 / 62 lb 37.2 / 28.1 kg | 118 / 85 lb 53.5 / 38.6 kg | 162 / 112 lb 73.5 / 50.8 kg | 207 / 144 lb 93.9 / 65.3 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | 86 / 65 lb 39 / 29.5 kg | 124 / 90 lb 56.2 / 40.8 kg | 171 / 117 lb 77.6 / 53.1 kg | 217 / 152 lb 98.4 / 68.9 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | 90 / 68 lb 40.8 / 30.8 kg | 130 / 94 lb 59 / 42.6 kg | 179 / 123 lb 81.2 / 55.8 kg | 227 / 159 lb 103 / 72.1 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | 94 / 71 lb 42.6 / 32.2 kg | 136 / 98 lb 61.7 / 44.5 kg | 186 / 128 lb 84.4 / 58.1 kg | 237 / 166 lb 107.5 / 75.3 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | 97 / 74 lb 44 / 33.6 kg | 141 / 102 lb 64 / 46.3 kg | 194 / 134 lb 88 / 60.8 kg | 247 / 173 lb 112 / 78.5 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | 101 / 77 lb 45.8 / 34.9 kg | 147 / 106 lb 66.7 / 48.1 kg | 202 / 139 lb 91.6 / 63 kg | 257 / 179 lb 116.6 / 81.2 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | 105 / 80 lb 47.6 / 36.3 kg | 152 / 110 lb 68.9 / 49.9 kg | 209 / 144 lb 94.8 / 65.3 kg | 266 / 186 lb 120.7 / 84.4 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | 109 / 83 lb 49.4 / 37.6 kg | 157 / 114 lb 71.2 / 51.7 kg | 216 / 149 lb 98 / 67.6 kg | 275 / 192 lb 124.7 / 87.1 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | 112 / 86 lb 50.8 / 39 kg | 162 / 118 lb 73.5 / 53.5 kg | 223 / 154 lb 101.2 / 69.9 kg | 284 / 199 lb 128.8 / 90.3 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | 116 / 88 lb 52.6 / 39.9 kg | 168 / 121 lb 76.2 / 54.9 kg | 230 / 159 lb 104.3 / 72.1 kg | 293 / 205 lb 132.9 / 93 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | 119 / 91 lb 54 / 41.3 kg | 173 / 125 lb 78.5 / 56.7 kg | 237 / 164 lb 107.5 / 74.4 kg | 302 / 211 lb 137 / 95.7 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | 123 / 93 lb 55.8 / 42.2 kg | 178 / 129 lb 80.7 / 58.5 kg | 244 / 168 lb 110.7 / 76.2 kg | 311 / 217 lb 141.1 / 98.4 kg |
| 250 lb 113.4 kg | 126 / 96 lb 57.2 / 43.5 kg | 183 / 132 lb 83 / 59.9 kg | 251 / 173 lb 113.9 / 78.5 kg | 319 / 223 lb 144.7 / 101.2 kg |
| 260 lb 117.9 kg | 129 / 99 lb 58.5 / 44.9 kg | 187 / 136 lb 84.8 / 61.7 kg | 258 / 177 lb 117 / 80.3 kg | 328 / 229 lb 148.8 / 103.9 kg |
| 270 lb 122.5 kg | 133 / 101 lb 60.3 / 45.8 kg | 192 / 139 lb 87.1 / 63 kg | 264 / 182 lb 119.7 / 82.6 kg | 336 / 235 lb 152.4 / 106.6 kg |
| 280 lb 127 kg | 136 / 104 lb 61.7 / 47.2 kg | 197 / 142 lb 89.4 / 64.4 kg | 271 / 186 lb 122.9 / 84.4 kg | 344 / 241 lb 156 / 109.3 kg |
| 290 lb 131.5 kg | 139 / 106 lb 63 / 48.1 kg | 201 / 146 lb 91.2 / 66.2 kg | 277 / 191 lb 125.6 / 86.6 kg | 353 / 247 lb 160.1 / 112 kg |
| 300 lb 136.1 kg | 142 / 108 lb 64.4 / 49 kg | 206 / 149 lb 93.4 / 67.6 kg | 283 / 195 lb 128.4 / 88.5 kg | 361 / 252 lb 163.7 / 114.3 kg |
Women’s Dumbbell Thrusters vs Machine Shoulder Press Standards
How to read the table: The first number is Dumbbell Thrusters; the second is Machine Shoulder Press. Each number is the lowest estimated one-rep max needed to reach that strength level. Scroll horizontally on smaller screens.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 lb 45.4 kg | 46 / 27 lb 20.9 / 12.2 kg | 63 / 41 lb 28.6 / 18.6 kg | 86 / 57 lb 39 / 25.9 kg | 114 / 78 lb 51.7 / 35.4 kg |
| 110 lb 49.9 kg | 49 / 29 lb 22.2 / 13.2 kg | 67 / 44 lb 30.4 / 20 kg | 92 / 61 lb 41.7 / 27.7 kg | 122 / 83 lb 55.3 / 37.6 kg |
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | 52 / 31 lb 23.6 / 14.1 kg | 72 / 47 lb 32.7 / 21.3 kg | 97 / 65 lb 44 / 29.5 kg | 129 / 88 lb 58.5 / 39.9 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | 55 / 33 lb 24.9 / 15 kg | 75 / 49 lb 34 / 22.2 kg | 103 / 68 lb 46.7 / 30.8 kg | 136 / 93 lb 61.7 / 42.2 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | 57 / 34 lb 25.9 / 15.4 kg | 79 / 52 lb 35.8 / 23.6 kg | 108 / 72 lb 49 / 32.7 kg | 143 / 97 lb 64.9 / 44 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | 60 / 36 lb 27.2 / 16.3 kg | 83 / 54 lb 37.6 / 24.5 kg | 113 / 75 lb 51.3 / 34 kg | 150 / 102 lb 68 / 46.3 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | 63 / 38 lb 28.6 / 17.2 kg | 87 / 56 lb 39.5 / 25.4 kg | 118 / 78 lb 53.5 / 35.4 kg | 157 / 106 lb 71.2 / 48.1 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | 65 / 39 lb 29.5 / 17.7 kg | 90 / 59 lb 40.8 / 26.8 kg | 123 / 82 lb 55.8 / 37.2 kg | 163 / 111 lb 73.9 / 50.3 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | 68 / 41 lb 30.8 / 18.6 kg | 94 / 61 lb 42.6 / 27.7 kg | 128 / 85 lb 58.1 / 38.6 kg | 169 / 115 lb 76.7 / 52.2 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | 70 / 42 lb 31.8 / 19.1 kg | 97 / 63 lb 44 / 28.6 kg | 132 / 88 lb 59.9 / 39.9 kg | 176 / 119 lb 79.8 / 54 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | 73 / 44 lb 33.1 / 20 kg | 101 / 65 lb 45.8 / 29.5 kg | 137 / 91 lb 62.1 / 41.3 kg | 182 / 124 lb 82.6 / 56.2 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | 75 / 45 lb 34 / 20.4 kg | 104 / 68 lb 47.2 / 30.8 kg | 141 / 94 lb 64 / 42.6 kg | 188 / 128 lb 85.3 / 58.1 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | 77 / 46 lb 34.9 / 20.9 kg | 107 / 70 lb 48.5 / 31.8 kg | 146 / 97 lb 66.2 / 44 kg | 194 / 132 lb 88 / 59.9 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | 80 / 48 lb 36.3 / 21.8 kg | 110 / 72 lb 49.9 / 32.7 kg | 150 / 100 lb 68 / 45.4 kg | 199 / 136 lb 90.3 / 61.7 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | 82 / 49 lb 37.2 / 22.2 kg | 114 / 74 lb 51.7 / 33.6 kg | 155 / 103 lb 70.3 / 46.7 kg | 205 / 140 lb 93 / 63.5 kg |
How Your Dumbbell Thrusters vs Machine Shoulder Press Result Is Calculated
The calculator estimates each max, rates it against the standards for that exercise and bodyweight, then compares the two ratings. Here is the complete process.
1. Estimate a one-rep max from each set
For one rep, it uses the weight entered. For 2–12 reps, it runs both formulas and keeps the lower, less aggressive estimate.
- Epley: weight × (1 + reps ÷ 30)
- Brzycki: weight × 36 ÷ (37 − reps)
A published back-squat study supports estimated-max prediction under its study conditions. It does not independently validate every exercise or population used by this comparison. Estimates are more dependable from clean, difficult, lower-rep sets. See the Back-squat formula validation study and Published discussion of back-squat one-rep-max prediction research.
2. Find the dumbbell thrusters strength level
The standards use the sex-specific targets from the individual Dumbbell Thrusters tool. Targets begin at 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women, then adjust to your exact bodyweight: reference target × (user bodyweight ÷ reference bodyweight) to the two-thirds power.
The target rises more slowly than bodyweight so heavier lifters are expected to lift more without requiring strength to increase pound for pound.
3. Find the machine shoulder press strength level
The machine shoulder press standards use the sex-specific standards from the individual Machine Shoulder Press tool. Targets begin at 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women, then adjust to your exact bodyweight: reference target × (user bodyweight ÷ reference bodyweight) to the two-thirds power.
The target rises more slowly than bodyweight so heavier lifters are expected to press more displayed resistance without requiring strength to increase pound for pound.
4. Compare the two results
Each max receives a level from Beginner through Elite. The lower-level lift is the priority. If the levels match, a priority appears only when one lift is at least 10 points farther from its next level. Otherwise, the result is Balanced.
The result shows which lift ranks lower, not why. Technique, fatigue, training history, and set quality can affect it. Age range is recorded anonymously but does not change the standards.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Estimate each max | Use the entered weight for 1 rep; for 2–12 reps, keep the lower formula result. |
| Rate the dumbbell thrusters | Adjust dumbbell thrusters targets to exact bodyweight with the two-thirds rule. |
| Rate the machine shoulder press | Adjust machine shoulder press targets to exact bodyweight with the two-thirds rule. |
| Compare different levels | Name the lower-level lift as the priority. |
| Compare matching levels | Use Balanced unless the difference in progress toward the next level reaches 10 points. |
Use the calculator above to see both estimated maxes, strength levels, the priority or Balanced result, and both next-level targets.
How Men’s Dumbbell Thrusters and Machine Shoulder Press Standards Differ
How to read both charts: Choose a strength level, find bodyweight along the bottom, and follow that level’s line. Zero means the two standards are equal. Above zero means the machine shoulder press standard is higher; below zero means the dumbbell thrusters standard is higher. On a phone, swipe the chart left and right to inspect the full-size lines and labels. The tables provide the exact pounds and kilograms.
What the men’s data shows:
The standards come closest at 120 lb.
Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite at every displayed bodyweight.
26.8 → 49.4 kg from 120 to 300 lb bodyweight.
How to read the table: Every number is the machine shoulder press standard minus the dumbbell thrusters standard. A plus sign means the machine shoulder press standard is higher. A minus sign means the dumbbell thrusters standard is higher.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | −18 lb −8.1 kg | −31 lb −14.1 kg | −48 lb −21.8 kg | −59 lb −26.8 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | −20 lb −9.1 kg | −33 lb −14.9 kg | −50 lb −22.7 kg | −63 lb −28.6 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | −21 lb −9.5 kg | −34 lb −15.4 kg | −54 lb −24.5 kg | −65 lb −29.5 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | −22 lb −10 kg | −36 lb −16.4 kg | −56 lb −25.4 kg | −68 lb −30.9 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | −23 lb −10.4 kg | −38 lb −17.2 kg | −58 lb −26.3 kg | −71 lb −32.2 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | −23 lb −10.4 kg | −39 lb −17.7 kg | −60 lb −27.2 kg | −74 lb −33.5 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | −24 lb −10.9 kg | −41 lb −18.6 kg | −63 lb −28.6 kg | −78 lb −35.4 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | −25 lb −11.3 kg | −42 lb −19 kg | −65 lb −29.5 kg | −80 lb −36.3 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | −26 lb −11.8 kg | −43 lb −19.5 kg | −67 lb −30.4 kg | −83 lb −37.6 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | −26 lb −11.8 kg | −44 lb −20 kg | −69 lb −31.3 kg | −85 lb −38.5 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | −28 lb −12.7 kg | −47 lb −21.3 kg | −71 lb −32.2 kg | −88 lb −39.9 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | −28 lb −12.7 kg | −48 lb −21.8 kg | −73 lb −33.1 kg | −91 lb −41.3 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | −30 lb −13.6 kg | −49 lb −22.2 kg | −76 lb −34.5 kg | −94 lb −42.7 kg |
| 250 lb 113.4 kg | −30 lb −13.7 kg | −51 lb −23.1 kg | −78 lb −35.4 kg | −96 lb −43.5 kg |
| 260 lb 117.9 kg | −30 lb −13.6 kg | −51 lb −23.1 kg | −81 lb −36.7 kg | −99 lb −44.9 kg |
| 270 lb 122.5 kg | −32 lb −14.5 kg | −53 lb −24.1 kg | −82 lb −37.1 kg | −101 lb −45.8 kg |
| 280 lb 127 kg | −32 lb −14.5 kg | −55 lb −25 kg | −85 lb −38.5 kg | −103 lb −46.7 kg |
| 290 lb 131.5 kg | −33 lb −14.9 kg | −55 lb −25 kg | −86 lb −39 kg | −106 lb −48.1 kg |
| 300 lb 136.1 kg | −34 lb −15.4 kg | −57 lb −25.8 kg | −88 lb −39.9 kg | −109 lb −49.4 kg |
How Women’s Dumbbell Thrusters and Machine Shoulder Press Standards Differ
What the women’s data shows:
The standards come closest at 100 lb.
Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite at every displayed bodyweight.
16.3 → 29.5 kg from 100 to 240 lb bodyweight.
How to read the table: Every number is the machine shoulder press standard minus the dumbbell thrusters standard. A plus sign means the machine shoulder press standard is higher. A minus sign means the dumbbell thrusters standard is higher.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 lb 45.4 kg | −19 lb −8.7 kg | −22 lb −10 kg | −29 lb −13.1 kg | −36 lb −16.3 kg |
| 110 lb 49.9 kg | −20 lb −9 kg | −23 lb −10.4 kg | −31 lb −14 kg | −39 lb −17.7 kg |
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | −21 lb −9.5 kg | −25 lb −11.4 kg | −32 lb −14.5 kg | −41 lb −18.6 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | −22 lb −9.9 kg | −26 lb −11.8 kg | −35 lb −15.9 kg | −43 lb −19.5 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | −23 lb −10.5 kg | −27 lb −12.2 kg | −36 lb −16.3 kg | −46 lb −20.9 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | −24 lb −10.9 kg | −29 lb −13.1 kg | −38 lb −17.3 kg | −48 lb −21.7 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | −25 lb −11.4 kg | −31 lb −14.1 kg | −40 lb −18.1 kg | −51 lb −23.1 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | −26 lb −11.8 kg | −31 lb −14 kg | −41 lb −18.6 kg | −52 lb −23.6 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | −27 lb −12.2 kg | −33 lb −14.9 kg | −43 lb −19.5 kg | −54 lb −24.5 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | −28 lb −12.7 kg | −34 lb −15.4 kg | −44 lb −20 kg | −57 lb −25.8 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | −29 lb −13.1 kg | −36 lb −16.3 kg | −46 lb −20.8 kg | −58 lb −26.4 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | −30 lb −13.6 kg | −36 lb −16.4 kg | −47 lb −21.4 kg | −60 lb −27.2 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | −31 lb −14 kg | −37 lb −16.7 kg | −49 lb −22.2 kg | −62 lb −28.1 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | −32 lb −14.5 kg | −38 lb −17.2 kg | −50 lb −22.6 kg | −63 lb −28.6 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | −33 lb −15 kg | −40 lb −18.1 kg | −52 lb −23.6 kg | −65 lb −29.5 kg |
Dumbbell Thrusters and Machine Shoulder Press Exercises Used by This Calculator
This calculator uses a strict dumbbell thrusters and a bilateral machine shoulder press. Use strict canonical Dumbbell Thrusters and Machine Shoulder Press tests. Do not mix variations, assistance, partial range, momentum, or different load conventions.
Use a strict, repeatable Dumbbell Thrusters
Follow the individual Dumbbell Thrusters calculator’s canonical setup, load convention, range of motion, and finish rules. Keep the same setup when retesting.
Use a strict seated machine shoulder press
Enter total selected or loaded resistance for both arms together. Keep the hips, back, and torso stable, press both handles from the same controlled bottom range to the intended overhead finish, and lower under control. Do not enter per-side load, a high-incline chest press, unilateral rest-pause set, free-weight press, partial rep, bounce, or assisted rep.
Enter one recent Dumbbell Thrusters result and one recent Machine Shoulder Press result
Use each exercise’s canonical input: External load for Dumbbell Thrusters and Total selected or loaded machine resistance for Machine Shoulder Press.
Related Tools
- Dumbbell Thrusters — View the individual Dumbbell Thrusters standards and next strength-level target.
- Machine Shoulder Press — View the individual Machine Shoulder Press standards and next strength-level target.
- Seated Barbell Overhead Press — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Standing Strict Barbell Overhead Press — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Seated Dumbbell Overhead Press — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Standing Dumbbell Overhead Press — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.